Ground-breaking research into the working conditions of doctors-in-training

A peer-reviewed article published in the Australian Health Review examines patterns of overtime among doctors-in-training in NSW, as well as the common reasons why doctors-in-training do not claim for overtime worked.

“Overtime claiming among Australian doctors in training: a cross-sectional survey” found a significant discrepancy between formal expectations of rostering staff and the reality of workplace demands faced by junior doctors.

The article also explored overtime claiming and made comparisons between specialty training pathways.

Using data from the Hospital Health Check Survey, the article found the vast majority of doctors-in-training leave overtime unclaimed.

“The study findings have significant implications for healthcare economics, workforce planning and junior doctor wellbeing,” said study author, Dr Andrew Coulshed, who co-authored the research article with Dr Brian Fernandes and Dr Sanjay Hettige.

“The underclaiming of overtime not only impairs junior doctor income, but it contributes to contributes to poor workforce allocation due to hidden workload, and possible impaired wellbeing.”

The study found that common reasons for not claiming overtime was workplace cultural expectations, followed by overtime not falling under approved reasons to claim.

Respondents also reported they felt claiming overtime would affect perceptions of their competence or future job prospects.

“The issues identified in this paper reflect the concerns we have been presenting to the NSW Health and working to amend,” said Dr Jacqueline Ho, AMA (NSW) Doctors-in-Training Co-Chair.

“The AMA (NSW) has been building on these results through subsequent Hospital Health Check surveys and what we’ve found is that small changes, such as expanding the list of reasons junior doctors can claim overtime, is making a big impact.

“There is still work to be done to encourage the claiming of overtime payment and address the hidden workload in hospitals, but significant change is underway.

“This analysis of overtime and claiming is critical to the next phase of our advocacy, which will be on excessive working hours and impact fatigue has on doctor-in-training health and wellbeing, as well as clinical errors,” Dr Ho said.